Contact us here to plan your future trip to French Polynesia
Air Tahiti Inter-Island Pass
& Air Moana —
Complete Comparison 2026
Two airlines operate inter-island flights in French Polynesia: Air Tahiti, the historic carrier serving 48 islands across all archipelagos, and Air Moana, the new entrant covering 8 main destinations at often more competitive fares. The choice between the two — and the pass question — is the first thing travellers ask us when planning their circuit. Here is our honest answer from Moorea: when the pass is worth it, when it isn't, and the classic mistake everyone makes.
Air Tahiti vs Air Moana — the real difference
The question comes up constantly: Air Tahiti or Air Moana? Short answer: check both and take the cheaper one on your route. On board, the difference is virtually non-existent — same type of small plane, same short flights of 20 to 90 minutes. What changes is the network and sometimes the price.
The Air Tahiti network — 48 islands served across all archipelagos of French Polynesia
| Air Tahiti | Air Moana | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 48 islands — complete coverage | 8 islands — main destinations |
| Islands served | Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Australes, Gambier | Tahiti, Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Rangiroa, Fakarava, Hiva Oa |
| Pass | 7 passes available | "Experiences" — combined fares |
| Fares | Reference — sometimes more expensive | Often competitive on shared routes |
| On-board experience | Standard | Identical in practice |
| Monopoly routes | Only option for remote islands | Competitor only on 8 destinations |
| Prices from French Polynesia | ✅ Cheaper when booked locally than from abroad — significant difference | |
We use both airlines. We check the schedules that work, and take the cheaper one. Full stop. On shared routes (Bora Bora, Moorea, Raiatea…), there is often a price difference — always worth comparing both before booking. On islands served only by Air Tahiti (Marquesas, Australes, smaller atolls), there is no choice.
The 7 Air Tahiti inter-island passes — detail & who they're for
Air Tahiti offers 7 inter-island passes, each covering a specific combination of islands. Approximately 30% cheaper than single tickets on the same routes — but with strict constraints on the itinerary.
| Pass | Islands included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pass Maeva | Raiatea, Bora Bora | Classic Leeward Islands circuit without Maupiti |
| Pass Maupiti | Maupiti, Raiatea, Bora Bora | Including Maupiti in the circuit — most requested pass |
| Pass Reva | Bora Bora, Rangiroa | Combined lagoon + Tuamotu atoll |
| Pass Tuamotu | Tikehau, Rangiroa | Tuamotu diving focus — two atolls |
| Pass Marquises | Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa | Marquesas Islands trip — the two main islands |
| Pass Australes | Tubuai, Rurutu | The Australes — niche, whale watching at Rurutu |
| Pass Bob | Bora Bora, Raiatea, Huahine | Full Leeward Islands circuit without Maupiti |
Rules to know before buying a pass
An Air Tahiti pass needs to be bought with your eyes open. The constraints are strict:
| Rule | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Geographic arc mandatory | You cannot do Tahiti → Bora Bora → Rangiroa → Bora Bora. Islands within the same archipelago must be visited in one go, without backtracking. |
| 28-day validity | From the first flight taken. After that, the pass expires. |
| Modifications are paid | Once activated, changing a flight incurs extra fees. Non-refundable after activation. |
| 10 kg hold baggage | Versus 23 kg on international flights. Supplement possible (~€4/kg). If over the limit, your bag may travel on a later flight — 24-48h delay common. |
| Buy before departure | Passes are sold at a more favourable rate from abroad or online before arriving in French Polynesia. |
Few people know this: Air Tahiti and Air Moana tickets cost less when booked directly from French Polynesia than from abroad. If you have a local contact on the ground or go through a local travel agency, that's often where you find the best fares. Local agencies also have negotiated preferential rates.
Air Moana — the inter-island "Experiences"
Air Moana calls its combined fares "Experiences" — a marketing name reflecting their Polynesian cultural positioning. In practice, it's the equivalent of Air Tahiti passes on their 8 destinations: an advantageous combined fare for visiting multiple islands.
The Air Moana network — 8 main islands, covering the most-visited destinations in French Polynesia
The 8 islands served by Air Moana
Air Moana promotes a "Polynesian experience" on board — local products, culture, Polynesian mana. In practice, we don't see a significant difference compared to Air Tahiti on these short 30-90 minute flights. What matters is the schedule and the price. On both airlines, the aircraft are similar and the service is fine.
Pass or single tickets — when is the pass actually worth it?
The central question. Honest answer: the pass is approximately 30% cheaper than single tickets — but it imposes itinerary constraints that not everyone can respect. Personally, we optimise flight by flight without passes, because flexibility has value. Here is when the pass is worth it and when it isn't.
| Situation | Pass or tickets? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Classic 3+ island circuit (e.g. Tahiti → Bora → Raiatea → Huahine) | ✅ Pass recommended | Geographic arc matches exactly, real 30% saving |
| Itinerary including Maupiti | ✅ Pass Maupiti | Maupiti is hard to add as a single ticket — the pass is the logical solution |
| Marquesas only | ✅ Pass Marquises | Nuku Hiva + Hiva Oa in a pass — clear saving, well-suited itinerary |
| Complex itinerary with backtracking | ❌ Single tickets | The mandatory geographic arc doesn't allow zigzags |
| Fewer than 3 inter-island flights | ❌ Single tickets | The pass only becomes cost-effective from 3 flights onwards |
| Tahiti → Moorea only | ❌ Take the ferry | See mistakes section below — flying Tahiti-Moorea is the classic error |
| Very flexible trip, uncertain dates | ⚠️ Single tickets | Modifications are paid after activation — if you improvise, the pass can end up costing more |
Fares vary by season on both airlines — July-August is the most expensive period. Book 2-3 months ahead in peak season.
Concrete simulation — Tahiti → Bora Bora → Raiatea → Tahiti
The most common itinerary, illustrating the pass vs single tickets question well:
Comparative simulation on a classic itinerary — the price difference can be significant depending on dates and season
| Scenario | Air Tahiti | Air Moana | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single tickets | More expensive | Cheaper | Air Moana favoured |
| Pass vs Air Tahiti single tickets | Sometimes identical | — | Pass not always advantageous — simulate |
| Peak season (July) | Limited seats | Limited seats | Book 2-3 months ahead |
| Islands outside Air Moana network | Only option | Not served | Air Tahiti mandatory |
Arriving at Bora Bora by inter-island flight — one of the most spectacular arrivals in the world. Book well in advance in peak season.
Classic mistakes on inter-island flights in French Polynesia
- Flying Tahiti–Moorea. This is the number one mistake. The ferry takes 35-40 minutes and you can turn up 10 minutes before departure. By plane, you need to be at Papeete airport at least 1 hour ahead — and Papeete airport is busy. The flight itself takes 30 minutes. Result: you spend more time at the airport than in the air, for the same destination, at a much higher cost. And this Tahiti-Moorea leg is often included in passes — a pure waste.
- Buying a pass whose itinerary doesn't match yours exactly. Pass circuits are fixed — if your itinerary doesn't match exactly, you pay for islands you won't visit or can't visit the islands you want. Always verify your actual circuit matches the pass before buying.
- Not comparing both airlines. On shared routes (Bora Bora, Raiatea, Moorea, Rangiroa, Fakarava), Air Tahiti and Air Moana can offer very different prices depending on dates. Looking at only one airline can cost you €30-50 more per flight.
- Arriving too late at the airport for an inter-island flight. Papeete airport is busier than expected even for domestic flights. Allow at least 1 hour before departure, especially with checked baggage. On smaller island airports it's quicker — but Papeete doesn't forgive tardiness.
- Booking an inter-island flight on the same day as your international return flight. A delay or cancellation on an inter-island flight can make you miss your Paris or Los Angeles flight. Always keep a buffer of at least one night in Papeete before the international flight.
- Forgetting the 10 kg hold baggage limit. Air Tahiti inter-island flights only include 10 kg in the hold (versus 23 kg on international flights). Beyond that, a per-kilo supplement — and if your bag is too heavy, it may be put on a later flight with a 24-48h delay.
Tips for optimising your inter-island flights in French Polynesia
Call the airlines directly
The Air Tahiti and Air Moana websites are not always well optimised — navigation can be unclear on mobile, prices not always displayed clearly, and you have to click into each flight individually to see the cheapest fares. Our advice: call the agents at both airlines directly. They respond well during opening hours, have better visibility on availability, and can sometimes offer fare or schedule combinations you wouldn't find easily online. Particularly useful for optimising a complex circuit.
Book from French Polynesia if possible
Air Tahiti and Air Moana ticket prices are lower when booked directly from French Polynesia than from abroad. If you have a contact on the ground, go through a local agency, or book from a French Polynesian IP address, the difference can be significant. Local travel agencies also have preferential rates negotiated directly with the airlines.
Systematically compare both airlines
On every route served by both, compare. There is no fixed rule — sometimes Air Tahiti is cheaper, sometimes Air Moana. Schedules can also make the difference depending on your arrival and plans on each island.
The pass is worth it only if your circuit matches exactly
Don't buy a pass because it's "generally cheaper". Buy it only if your actual itinerary matches the pass islands exactly, in the correct geographic order. If you have to adapt your trip to the pass rather than the other way around, the pass doesn't suit you.
Verdict — Air Tahiti or Air Moana?
- ✓ 48 islands — complete coverage
- ✓ Only option for Maupiti, Australes, Gambier
- ✓ 7 inter-island passes available
- ✓ Established airline with decades of experience
- → More expensive on shared routes
- → Pass must be simulated before buying
- ✓ Generally cheaper fares
- ✓ Covers the 8 most-visited islands
- ✓ Good option for classic circuits
- → Network limited to 8 islands
- → No inter-island pass
- → Newer airline, less track record
Our final advice: if your itinerary is limited to the main islands (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Fakarava), check Air Moana first — you will often find a better fare. If your itinerary includes more remote islands or multiple archipelagos, Air Tahiti is essential. In all cases, compare both before booking.
FAQ — Air Tahiti inter-island pass & Air Moana
More guides to plan your French Polynesia trip
International flight Flight Time Los Angeles to Papeete — 8 Hours Direct The direct flight from LA or SF before your inter-island circuit — airlines, tips and booking advice. Planning guide French Polynesia Travel Agency or DIY — Our Honest Guide Local agencies have preferential rates on inter-island flights and can optimise your circuits. Itinerary 10-Day French Polynesia Itinerary — Moorea, Bora Bora & More The inter-island flight strategy applied to a concrete 10-day circuit. Multi-archipelago circuit 3 Weeks — Tuamotu + Society Islands The complete circuit where the pass question matters most — multiple archipelagos, multiple flights. On the ground Car Rental in Tahiti — Comparison 2026 Once you land on each island — getting around independently.
About us
WELCOME !
👉 Here, we share our best travel experiences, insider tips, favorite spots, and authentic advice to explore French Polynesia with passion 💙 (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, the Marquesas, Tuamotu…)
